Despite setbacks, immigration activists remain hopeful for reform

Lawmakers’ damaged reputations after the 16-day government shutdown may be exactly what a stalled plan to reform America’s immigration system needs.At least, immigration advocates from both sides of the debate hope that’s the case.Before the shutdown, they and two border-state members of Congress from both parties were optimistic Congress would pass immigration reform, though everyone differed on what that reform would look like.After the shutdown, those questions still remain, and it’s compounded by critical time lost to act before Congress …